Sunday, November 29, 2009

Vintage Christmas Monday!

I kept seeing all of the wonderful blogs around who were participating in Vintage Christmas Monday and it looked like so much fun!  I was unsure whether or not I would be able to come up with enough “goodies” to keep everyone interested but thought I might give it a try.  To visit all of the other fabulous participants, simply click on the party button on my right side bar.

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After looking around, I have more true vintage decorations than I thought.  Like this cute little sleigh and reindeer.  Although I found them recently while cleaning out a cabinet at my mother’s, I know without a doubt that they originally belonged to my Nanny.  That gold spray paint is a dead giveaway!

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I added the little bottle brush tree, angel, and glittered wreath.

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I think I agree with my Nanny in this case.  The little guys look very festive painted gold!   I know I know, you “neutral” girls are thinking “how could you!”   Then again, you probably don’t have a pink Christmas tree either! 

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These little carolers are also a recent find.  I’m thinking that they are probably from around the 1960’s?

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I’ve had this little guy for years.  Somewhere along the way he lost his lantern.  I can’t WAIT to show you what he’s sitting in!   I just purchased it Friday.  My favorite shop in OKC, Room 22, had a 1 hour 40% off sale from 8:00 to 9:00 AM Friday morning and I had been eyeing this particular item for some time.

That was the first time EVER EVER that I have been out on a black Friday, so you know that I really really wanted it.  I went shopping there and then came straight home. 

This waiting until Saturday to show you what I’ve been up to is just KILLING me!  I hope you all enjoy all of my decorating.  My party post Saturday is going to be a looong one!

I’m looking forward to my party here Friday night and the blog party Saturday!  What a fun filled weekend that will be!

Again, for anyone who is interested, it’s not too late to sign up for the blog party!  We have wonderful participants already and the more the merrier!

If for any reason I have failed to add you to the party list at the top left of my sidebar or failed to answer your e-mails let me know.  It’s been a crazy couple of weeks and although I think I’m caught up with everything, you never know.

Hope you ALL had a perfect Thanksgiving!

Denise

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

To ALL of you in blogland!  I have just one word of importance today……BENIGN!   Those were my test results!   Sooooo…..that’s that and now it is back to business as usual with a big smile and much relief!

I am back in full decorating mode!  I don’t DARE reveal too much.  I’m trying to save most everything for the big blog party on Dec. 5th!

So I REALLY shouldn’t tell you what this gorgeous fabric is covering that Miss A seems so intent on breaking in……….

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Naughty kitty!

I WILL tell you that there have been some new arrivals at Bella Manor.  They can hardly wait to make their grand debut on Dec. 5th!

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Huummm….do we see a neutral theme going here?  Maybe, maybe not…….

Vintage goods are being used again after years in the cupboards gathering dust……….

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Like this eggnog set.  Now that I see a better picture of Santa, he looks a little creepy!  No wonder I had him hidden away.

Some of the girls who have been around for awhile are getting a little extra ornamentation and are gracing redecorated spaces……………

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Hubby is declaring that we are suffering from glitter inhalation as I glitter and glitz everything in sight!

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And some new ornaments are finding their home in special places!

And so it goes!  I am actually sitting here posting with paint all over my hands.  Sometimes I just need a good kick in the behind OR a party to get things done that I have been putting off!

I’m pretty sure that I got the e-mail problem fixed if there is anyone else who would like to join us here in Oklahoma for our party Dec. 4th! 

AND…don’t forget, it’s still not to late to sign up for the blog party Dec. 5th.

Thanks so much for all of the well wishes regarding my biopsy!  It’s such a wonderful thing when you know that so many people care! 

Here’s hoping that everyone has a “fantabulous” Thanksgiving!!!

Denise

Monday, November 23, 2009

I’m Baacck!

AND posting from a brand new computer!  Yep, the old one crashed big time!  We were very fortunate and were able to retrieve almost everything including pictures and all personal files.  WHEW!  What a relief!  I am SO behind on all of my blogging!  I did NOT like being disconnected from all of you!

For anyone who may have tried to e-mail us during the last week….

SORRY!  Please e-mail us again.  Apparently, I had the wrong e-mail address on the right side bar and we did not receive any of them.  I know for sure that several people tried to contact us regarding the party here in the City, and then wondered why we didn’t respond.

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So…..anywho, I should have some new pictures up tomorrow with any luck.  I have been decorating up a storm around here trying to get ready for the big party Dec. 4th and the blog party Dec.5th!

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On a personal note……and I hesitated as to whether to mention this or not, I had an unexpected shock today.  I had my six month mammogram check-up and they found something “suspicious” on the same side where I had breast cancer in 2007.  They went ahead and did a needle biopsy today and I’ll have the results Wednesday afternoon.  All I can say is WELL S#*#!!

This has been a heck of a year for our family!  I don’t have any expectations one way or another, I’m just hoping for the best news possible.

WHEW!  It just feels good to tell someone!  My Hubby is my rock.  He rushed home right away to be with me and has just been the best.  He even baked chocolate chip cookies this evening!

On the bright side, I can’t lift anything for 48 hours and he’s doing all of the laundry tomorrow!  YIPPEE!

Don’t forget….it’s not too late to sign up for the blog party on Dec. 5th!  I’ll be catching up and adding everyone to the party list in the next day or so!

Now I’m off to do a little catching up on everyone else’s blogs.  It’s GREAT to be back!

Denise

Friday, November 20, 2009

Computer Problems!

Aaaahhhhh!  My computer crashed on Monday evening!  Pictues, Photo Shop, everything GONE!  We're hoping that our computer "guy" can retrieve what we need.  In the meantime, I feel like someone has cut off my right arm!  I sure miss everyone!  I hope to be back up by the first of the week.  I'll have a lot of catching up to do I know.  Have a nice weekend.
Denise

Monday, November 16, 2009

Congratulations!

A huge huge congrats. to my baby, Heather who took FIRST PLACE in the painted category in Chez FiFi’s recent decorating contest!  I am just so so proud of her!  She is incredibly talented and very deserving. 

I don’t have the before and after pictures on my computer, but you can go to FiFi’s blog HERE and check out all of the winners in every category.

Just had to brag about my baby!  What a nice way to start out the week.

ALSO thanks to Sheila at Halo Hill for kindly e-mailing me about the contest and having every confidence that Heather could win.  I don’t know that she would have entered had it not been for your encouragement, Sheila!

Have a Happy Monday everyone!

Denise

Oops!  Forgot to mention…..If you want to check out more of Heather’s work, there is a button on the right side bar of our blog which will lead you to her Shutter Fly account!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Saturday!

If I was worried about having too much time on my hands this Holiday season, planning the party at my house Dec. 4th took care of that!  As you all know, it’s a whole lot different when you post and all you have to do is kick things out of the way for your photos! 

I’ve been wandering the City this week and finding some fun things.

Like this snowman tree topper.

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How cute is that?  It has the little coil underneath to insert in the top of your tree.  The ribbon and decorations were great, but not the colors that I was doing.

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So I changed them…….

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I know it looks like overkill, but think top of the tree eight foot high.  I think that the size will look find once I get it on the tree.  If not, hey that’s what glue guns are for, right?

Found the top hat at Hobby Lobby 1/2 price, $12.50!

I also found this super cute snowman.

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T.J. Maxx  only $10.00!

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This cute apron.

Also from T.J. Maxx  $7.99!

All of these bargains are great, but they’re starting to add up.  I’ve gotta STOP!

We also moved our booth at the Rink.  AGAIN!  But it’s always for the better!  We are now right at the front and it looks better than ever!

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I had every intention of selling my Anna Lee collection, but Heather about had a fit, so we’re just using it for a display.  This is the entrance to our booth.  About 10 foot high.

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As you walk in.  It looks so much better than it ever has.

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The back side.  Displays are a real challenge when you don’t have any walls!

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Vintage linens and such.

So it’s back to decorating.  See ya next week!  Don’t forget about the blog party.  We would appreciate it if you would sign up.  I’m putting a small banner at the top to remind everyone.

Denise

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Share The Joy! Let’s Party!

As I mentioned earlier last week, this will be an all out deck the halls and trim the tree holiday at our house.  But, I need IDEAS!  I need INSPIRATION!  So………………….

I am excited to announce that I am having my first time ever Blog Party

Saturday Dec. 5th !!

We would like to know what makes your holiday magical! 

It’s easy peasy and it will be tons of fun for everyone!  Just share your inspiring ideas and creations with all of us!  Here are some ideas…..

  • The way you trim your tree
  • Your favorite ornaments
  • How you create a special vignette in your home
  • Your family traditions
  • Children's crafts.  We’re always looking for ways to keep the kids entertained!
  • Outside decorations
  •   Creative ways to wrap packages.  I sure need help in that department, mine always look like a disaster!
  • How to set a beautiful holiday table.

Just anything and everything that would be of interest to all of us bloggers out here!  You are all so creative and I know that you have fabulous ideas that you are just waiting to share with all of us!  Just be sure and include a short explanation so that we may all be inspired by your creativity!

Here’s how to participate…..

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Leave a comment on this post or email me with your info if you would like to sign up.  I will be starting a list of participants on my sidebar.  You have from today until the day of the party.

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Post this flyer on your blog…….

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Just left click the image to enlarge, and then copy to what ever program that you use for your pictures.  Post the flyer on your blog ASAP and spread the word that you are participating to all of our blog friends out there.

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Put a button on your side bar so that people will remember to attend the blog party that day.

This is super easy if you have never done it!

  1. sign into your blogger account and go to your dashboard.
  2. select “ layout” under your blog name.
  3. when your template comes up, select the box that says “Add A Gadget”
  4. scroll down to the gadget that says “Picture”
  5. you may enter a caption if you like, this is optional
  6. under link, after the http://   type in my blog address
  7. under image, search for the picture wherever you stored it in your computer and insert
  8. be sure to hit save in the bottom right hand corner
  9. the computer will shrink the image to fit on your sidebar

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Promote, promote, promote.  And mention the party often on your blog.  We will all enjoy the party and have tons of comments and visitors!

BUT WAIT!……THAT’S NOT ALL!!!……….

For all of our local blogger friends, many of whom I know were also customers of ours when we had our shop……..WE MISS YOU!!  And we would love to see you again!  For any local blogger friends that we have yet to meet…..WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU!!!

So…….Friday Dec. 4th, the evening BEFORE the blog party, Heather and I will be hosting a craft and dinner party at MY HOUSE!  We have selected a craft that requires only a small supply list but will be lots of fun for everyone! 

The price of admission?   FOOD!!  Make your favorite recipe (pot luck) to bring.  We would also like for you to bring copies of the recipe so that we may have a recipe exchange. 

We’re gonna EAT!  We’re gonna CRAFT!  We’re gonna have a fun fun girls night out!  DON’T  feel intimidated or think that you will be the proverbial “odd man out”  or feel awkward because you don’t know anyone.  Most of the women who will attend will not know each other, so it will be a great opportunity to visit, make new friends, and share our craft project with each other.

  • TIME:  Friday evening Dec. 4th  6:30 PM
  • PLACE:  Denise’s house
  • RSVP:  via email

We will give you the address and your supply list when you confirm!  We can’t WAIT!  We’ll be sharing pics. of our evening during the blog party Saturday with everyone!

I hope to hear from many many of you soon!

Denise

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Because I Love It All

That’s why I love blogging so much.  All of the different styles.  All of the different color schemes.  I love it all.  In my alternate existence, the one where I have lots and lots of money,  I would have houses furnished in different styles.  One very French with the neutral tones thrown in with grays and off-whites.  Another with lots of color.  And on and on.  It’s very difficult for me to decorate because I have such a hard time making a decision.  Because I Love It All! 

But…..the thing that I love the most is being a bit different and a LOT unmatched in my decorating. 

I remember in 1998, this crazy fabulous book came out.  I had never seen anything like it!

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It was Tracy Porter’s Dreams From Home.  Oops!  My scanner cut off the D!

At that time, everything was all matchy matchy.  Waverly was the hot hot thing.  EVERYTHING matching!  From wallpaper to bedding.  Even then I hated it!   And I didn’t even know why.

But Tracy Porter……that girl was way way ahead of her time.

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I had never ever seen anyone dress a bed this way.  I was amazed at all of the completely different fabrics that she had thrown together.  And her wall decor…..WOW!  I loved it all!  It was just so……well, weird.  And I found out that I really really liked weird.  Right down to the way she combined furniture.  Some painted, some antique, some not.  But again….nothing matched.

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It was the first time that I had ever seen a Santos.  I didn’t even know what it was called.  I just knew I HAD to have one!

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All through the book, there were pictures of these quirky little journals that she had made.  I had never seen anything like that either. I was hooked!

I must have studied every page of that book a hundred times, just trying to figure it all out.  Now I know, there’s nothing TO figure out.  You just DO it.  Go with what you love, and somehow it all works together.

In 1998, very few women understood this “look.”  At the time, I worked for a wallpaper store.  Wallpaper was the rage then.  Tracy Porter came out with a wallpaper book and we could hardly sell any of it.  Women were just scared to death.  Customers  couldn’t think “outside of the box.”   I think Waverly had brain washed the whole lot of them!  HA HA

Today, I still have women come into my home and say “wow….I never would have thought to put those things together in the same display.”  Or…..”you sure have a lot of stuff.”  It’s their way of saying “I don’t get it.”  

And THAT’S what I love about all of you.  All of my blogging friends.  You ALL “get it.”  We all appreciate and admire each other’s style and enjoy sharing it. 

And isn’t it wonderful that we’ve found this community.

If you haven’t checked in on Tracy Porter lately you need to visit her web site HERE.  Of course, her taste has evolved and changed over the years, but that same style that I love is still there.  You can link to her blog where she has a bunch of short little tutorial videos.  Just getting a good look at her great room and kitchen are a delicious treat that I’m sure you will all enjoy!

Have a happy Friday and weekend!

Denise

P.S.  I just loved the comments to my last post.  You girls are too funny!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Could It Be?

Do you believe in love at first sight?  I never really thought of it before now, to tell you the truth.  But it seems, yes it seems, that someone I know may be experiencing this strange phenomenon.

What is it do you suppose?  The sparkle in your eyes when you happen to catch a glimpse of your reflection?

Just the KNOWING the FEELING that this is “the one.”  The rest of your life, for better or worse real ONE?

The last person that you think of when you lay your head on your pillow at night?

And the first person that you think of when you wake in the morning?

The feeling that every day is just the BEST day ever, and knowing that you have many many more of those days to come?

The only person who has ever made you feel like your are special, that you are royalty?

It is strange, very very strange, this phenomenon.  Other people ALSO feel this THING that is so hard to put into words.  Even someone very young has commented on how “right” this feels.

So…..I’ll wait, and pray, and hope.  Because this person deserves this happiness, this phenomenon known as Love At First Sight!

I’m holding my breath, watching this life change direction to a better place and MOSTLY praying that heart break does not follow.  Surely not, this time, it feels RIGHT to me also.

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To be continued……

Sunday, November 1, 2009

November!

It’s here!  When do you start planning your Christmas decorating?  I usually begin decorating the day after Thanksgiving.  This year COULD be a very depressing Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The first without my Mother.  It’s all still so surreal.  You know, you think of something you need to share, and almost reach for the phone.  BUT…….I will not give in to this depression.  Certainly my Mother would not want me to.  SO…I’m decorating BIGGER and BETTER this year.  Creating Christmas vignettes is my favorite thing to do. 

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My new banner was taken from this picture.  I found those little felt angels in my mother’s decorations.  They were, each one, lovingly handmade by my great aunt.  Her name was Florence, but we all called her “Tootsie.” I never knew why, but the name certainly fit her.  She was silly and happy and always had a smile for everyone. 

SO……my banner honors the holidays, my mother and her aunt.

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One of mother’s Christmas houses.

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A closer look.

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A few of my favorites.

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I found some really really ugly Christmas ornaments with these cute little doll heads just covered in ugly green silk and lace.  I tore all of that off and was left with these little sweeties.  I may use them in a project or not.  They’re cute as is.

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And so……the decorating has already begun.  It always begins around November 1st when I decorate BIG.  Which isn’t often.  This will be a holiday infused with laughter, glitter, beauty, and fun.  I am determined!  Which is not to say that there will not be crying.  I’m sure there will be.  But that’s okay.  You have to work through these losses.

You notice I didn’t say cooking or baking.  Any volunteers?  NO? 

Huuummm……..now who will see all of these fabulous decorations?  I’m scheming.  Yes I am!  Stay tuned for more……………………………..

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